Vehicle spring suspension



S. iTOTT.

VEHICLE SPRING SUSPENS-I0 APPLmATmN m50 SEPT.1,.1913.

RENEWED FEB. i9. 19H).

atnted Jan. 13, i926.

' SHEETSWSHEET l.

@60.4.17 u), @ufff/ R. S. TRON.

VEHICLE SPRING SUSPENSION.

APPLICATION HLED SEPT. H. 1.913. PENN/ED PPB.19.1919.

` VBmmuted Jan. 13, i920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ROLLAND S. TROTT, F DEN VER, COLORADO.

VEHICLE SPRING SUSPENSION To all whom t may concern: l

Be itknown that I, ROLLAND S.'TRo1f T, citizen of the United States, residing at city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful [Improvements in Vehicle Spring Suspensions, of which thefollowing is a specifica-- tion.

My invention relates to animprovement in vehicle spring suspensions, and more par.- ticularly to that type intended to accompllsh the purpose for which the structures shown in the Patents 1,029,731 and 1,029,7 32, issued to me June 18, 1912; namely, to permit movement of the axle in a direction of the longiv tudinal center ofthe frame of the vehicle,

and while permitting this movement, preclude the possibility oflateral twistin `to' the road as practicable.

vand 'arrange the movement of the axle, and insure thatv itwi l be restored to its normal position.l

The object of this invention is to provide a spring suspension which may be applied, directly to the load springs by which the frame is supported on the axle. The present trend in the manufacture of motor cars to which this invention is particularly adapt` able is to throw the bodyl structure as close When the vehicle is so constructed, the engine and other mech.- anismfis necessarily placed low, andv there is some diificulty andcomplication in design` i'ng the structure, so that a reach as disclosed in my patents above referred to can be provided and yet maintain .a sufficient' road clearance.

A still further object is to so construct k parts that the load springs coperate to hold the axle rightlyalined, and to return the axle to its normal position when it has been moved inl a direction longitudinal of the frame.

` Y This invention relates to still other novel features of construction'and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter describedy and pointed out in the claims.v 1 e -In the accompanying drawings; Y

` Figure 1 is a view in perspective of one end of a vehicle frame, showing my invention applied thereto; t v

igs. 2 and 3 are perspective views disclosing the manner of connecting the spiral springs to aid in the restoration of the axle;

Figs. 4 and 5 are similar views disclosing the use of a leaf springl to aid -in the restoration; and

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view disclosing another adaptation of the coil spring.

, Specification of Letters Patent. Application'led September 17, 1913, Serial No. 790,337., Renewedv Febr the bifurcated end of the .the ends thereof, and these brackets', like Yy 90 Patented Jan. 13, 1920.

Referring to Fig. 1, in which the spring suspension is shown applied to the front axle, the frame A is made in the usual manner fromv channel iron or other suitable materlial, with the sides thereof parallel. frame, may be of standard construction, vexcept that where the springs 2 and 3 are attached to the sides of the frame at their fo-rward ends,-the frame is preferably bifurnary 19, 1919. se'riai No. 278,061.,

cross-bar 1 holds the sides apart. Thev cated as' at 4, 4:, to straddle the forward ends of the springs.

Thesprings 2 and3 are shown of the semielliptic type built up from a plurality of leaves and having the ends of the leavesl Secured together by clipsin the usual manner. A cross shaft B is received between the ends 4of the* side members of the frame A, and is journaled in thereof.

polnt preferably within the bifurcated end A link 5 is secured to the shaft Bat a' the bifurcated portion 4 is pivoted at its forward end .to the link 5.

A similar link 6 is secured to the-opposite end ofthe shaft B `also preferably within other side member, and thespring 3 is pivoted at its forward end to thefree and 8 extend downwardlyfrom the side members of the frame at a point back .from

the ends of the side members,are preferabl bifurcated to receive the links 9 and 10.

The rear ends of the springs 2 and 3 are pivoted to the links'9 and 10 respectively.

The axle C is secured in any suitable manner to the springs 2 and 3 and has the wheels mounted'thereon in the usual manner.

Y As the shock is that en'd of the axle to which the spring 2 Ais secured, the links 5 and 9 will be forced backwardly.

`As the-link 5 'is'rigidly'mounted on the- 7 Shea B, vthe link e win have its pivotal @0nnection withV the spring 3 moved in the same relative are, and that'end of the axle C to vwhich this spring 3 is secured will be caused move backwardly to the same extent as the enden whicl the vwheel sustaining ythe .ShOGk iS-mounted.-

y In this way the axle is maintained at all position at rightangles tothe line.

times in a of draft or length lof the frame, while at the end of this link 6.| vBrackets sustained by the wheel on i same time the axle free to move lengthwise of the frame.

By reason of the fact that the pivotal connec`t1on between the links 9 and 10 and the links 5 and 6 isiabove the pivotal connection of these links with the frame, the tendency will be for the axle to automatically resume its normalposition.

In a vehicle which is not intended lto be driven at a high rate of speed, this structure would operate very well, but where the vehicle is traveling at a high rate of-speed, and is its normal position, vand which will at the f same time cushion the shock as the axle is thrown from its position and also the rebound.

In each of the modied forms, I have shown a 4construction as hereinbefore described, and the only change is that various forms of spring structure which may be used for restoring the axle are disclosed.

In Figs. 2 and 3 I have shown one adaptation ofthe spiral spring.

In Fig. 2 a rod 11 is connected with the axle C. This rod passes through a bracket elin of t e axle longitudinally of the frame 1sl 12 mounted on the frame, and on each side of the bracket, shock and rebound springs y13 and 14 are mounted around the rod.

Withthis form, when'the vehicle is travin a forward direction, the movement resisted by the spring 13, and the shock incident to this movement is absorbed thereby, the rebound l being taken care of by the spring 14, and of course if the vehicle is traveling in the rear direction, the springs would perform a reverse function.

In Fig. 3 Ihave disclosed the rod 11 as secured to the link at a point adjacent the connection of the load spring therewith and the spiral springs 13 and 14 bearing on each side of bearing 12.

In both of these forms, it is preferable that the yendwise'shock springs be provided at each end of the axle, although they can be mounted in the center of the frame or at any other point, and probably equally good results obtained.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a form in which an arm 15 is provided to extend from the cross shaft B approximately at right angles to the extent of the links 5 and 6, and a rectilinearY leaf spring 16 is secured to this arm and is connected at its free end by a link 17 with the cross bar 1 of the frame. With this form, any swinging movement of the links or turning movement of the shaft B is resisted by the rectilinear spring 16.

In Fig. 5 an arm 18 is formed on thev cross shaft B to extend in a line approximately parallel with the extent of the links 5 and 6, and a full elliptic spring 19 is pivoted von its one side to 4thisarm, andon its opposite side, to Across bar 1 of the frame, 'so that as the links 5 and 6 swing to turn, movement of the cross shaft B is resisted by the action of the sprin against the arm 18.

In ig.. 6 a coil spring 20 is received around the shaft B within the side member of the frame. This spring is secured at its one end at 21 to the shaft, and at the opposite end is connected rigidly by straps or other means 22 with the frame, thus when the shaft B is turned through the swinging of the -links 5 and 6, this4 turning action is resisted by the spring 20. Y

While I have disclosed my invention as applied to the front axle of a vehicle, and the righting device as applied to the forward end of the springs, it will be apparent that the invention will be just as readily applied to, the rear axle and the righting mechanism might be applied to the rear \ends. I

It is, however, desirable that this rightin mechanism be applied to the forward ents when possible, :as by such an arrangement the movement of the axle exerts a pulling strain upon the spring to swing the link, whereas if* a pushing strain were exerted, there might be some tendency of the spring to buckle, and thus the axle would Abe thrown slightly out of square.

Further, while the links have been described as being under tension, or having the frame underslung with respect to their connection to the load springs, it is evident that they might be under compression or with the frame overslung, and by the use cf the endwise shock spring, obtain the same result, also the one end might be under compression and the other in suspension, or a bearing could be provided to slide on the frame orto work on a roller connected with f the frame at one end of the spring. I have described the frame as bifurcated at the ends of the side members to receive the links 5 and 6 and the brackets also made bifurcated. It will be seen that both frame and brackets might be made straight and by the use of stud shafts or other approved structure the springs could be mounted to obtain the same result, and to maintain the same rigidity of the parts, the parts being shown and described as beingbifurcated only because, at the presenttime, that seems to be the preferred construction. Y

This invention has been described as adapted for use with a semielliptic spring, but as will be apparent, it can be applied to axle,

other forms with slight modification` and also other forms of endwise shock springs can be applied without departing from the invention. Having what I- claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l L

1. In a vehicle, a horizontally mo'va'ble springs, and a cross-shaft connected with the springs to .equalize the horizontal movement of the two ends of the axle,

. 2. In-a vehicle, a resiliently opposed horithe shaft wherebythe axle is zontally movable axle, load-s rlngs, and a cross-shaft connected with vt e springs to equalize the horizontal movement of the two ends of the axle.

3. In a vehicle, a horizontally movable axle, springs, a cross-shaft, and links interposed between the shaft and Isprings to equalize the horizontal movement of the two horizontally movable axle, load-springs connected with the frame and axle, rockable` means forming a connection across between opposite sides ofthe vehicle-frame, and means for resiliently opposing .horizontal movement of the axle.

7. A vehicle-spring suspension comprising a vehicle-frame, horizontally movable axle, a pair of load-springs secured to the axle, links connecting the springs with the frame, and means carrying and rocking with the links connecting the load-springs together, thereby equalizing the horizontal movement of the ends of the axle.

8. A vehicle-spring suspension comprising a vehicle-frame, horizontally movable axle, a pair of load-springs secured to the axle, links connecting the springs with the frame,

-means carrying and rocking with the links connecting the load-springs together, thereby equalizing the horizontal movement of` the ends ofthe axle, and means for resiliently opposing horizontal movement' of the axle. 9. Ina vehicle spring suspension, a frame, a horizontally movable axle, load-springs, a rockable' cross shaft, and means connecting the endsof the springs to the frame and to capable of an equalized horizontal movement. s

10. In frame,

fully described my invention,v

a vehicle spring suspension, a a horizontally movable axle, loadsprings, a rockable cross-shaft, means 'connecting the ends of the springs to the frame and to the shaft, whereby the axle is capable of equalized horizontal movement, and means for `resiliently vopposing horizontal movement of the axle. y

11. A vehiclespring suspension compris'- ing load-springs, horizontally movable axles secured thereto, and vmeans parallel with the axle connecting .the springs, whereby the horizontal movement of the ends of the axle is equalized and said means and axle are maintained in a parallel plane.

12. A vehicle spring suspensionV comprising load-springs, horizontally movable` axles secured thereto, means parallel with the axle connecting the sprin s, whereby the horizontal ,movement oft e ends of the axle is equalized and said means and axle are maintained in a parallel plane, and means for resiliently opposing horizontal movement of q the ax e. I

13. The combination with a lframe and axle, of a shaft journaled on. the frame, linkssecured to said shaft, load-springs secured to the axles and connected with saidlinks movement in a direction longitudinal of the frame, and all lateral or twisting movement is precluded.

14. The combination with a frame and a horizontally movable axle, of' rocker connected springs interposed between them and connected to each in such a manner as to permit of the equalized horizontal movement of the ends of the axle. y 15. Rocker .connected load springs, a

lframe supported thereby, and an axle secured to the springs, said axle being capable 'ofa free movement in a direction longitudinal of the frame.

16. The combination with a' frame andl axle, of a shaft journaled on the frame, links secured to said L shaft and' frame near the ends thereof, load springs secured to the axles and connected with said links supporting said load springs at their opposlteends, and all of said parts so arranged that the axle has free movement in a directionI longitudinal of the frame, and all lateral or twisting movement is precluded.

` supporting saidload-sprin s, and all of said f parts so arranged that t e vaxle has free 17. The combination with al lframe and I axle, of a shaft journaled on the frame, links securedA to said shaft and frame. near the ends thereof, load springs secured to the axles and connected with said links supporting said ,load springs at their opposite ends,

all of said parts so arranged that the axle has free movement in a direction longitudinal of the frame, and all lateral hor twisting.

movement is precluded, and means for resiliently opposing said free longitudinal movement and for restoring the axle to its normal position.

18. The combination With a Vehicle frame to preclude twisting movement, springs poand aXle, of a shaft `connected aoross the sitioned to resiliently oppose said moverame, load springs secured to the axles, ment of the aXle and to restore the axle to links secured on said shaft and pivotallT its normal position.

5 connected with said load springs at one end In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature, v15

thereof, links connecting the opposite ends in the presence of two Witnesses.

of the springs to have swinging movement f RGLLAND S. TROTT. with the frame all ofsaid parts arranged to Witnesses: permit movement of the axle in a direction CHAS. E. STRATTON,

10 of the longitudinal extent of the frame and ROBERT BEEDLE. 

